Christian ethics is a large subject. It includes living out specific practices articulated in the Bible, while at the same time grasping its broader principles of holiness in order to navigate well the complexities of life.
But at its core, its personal meaning is that of simply pleasing God. We must ask questions like: “How might I please God?” “How might I please God more?” “How might we be even more pleasing to God as His church?
Getting the Attitude Right
The Thessalonian church was full of new Christians, only three months down the road in their walk with God at most. They were at the very beginnings of their development, but they were eager to please God. This disposition would put them on the fast track to Christian maturity; and they would soon take the lead as a model church for the world to follow.
The Apostle Paul considered strong ethical instruction part of basic discipleship for new believers. They are more likely to obey early on than later if they are allowed to continue unchallenged on any immorality or ethical lapses.
Developing Spiritual Instincts
Christian Ethics are all about pleasing God. The concept of pleasing God is so helpful and so challenging. It is so much more helpful than a list of rigid rules. And it is so much more challenging than simply living by a few moral generalizations.
Pleasing God is not about being reactionary against unbiblical standards, nor is it found in self-righteously liking them. The first leads to confusion and lack of definition. The second misses out on happiness and depth of understanding.
It isn’t that hard. The concept of pleasing God implies that Christians can have their instincts trained by the Holy Spirit. As maturity is described in Hebrews 5:14 ESV “they have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
Move Out, Move Ahead
It requires true spirituality to move beyond rules and regulations, and relying on a Christian culture of policing one another’s lives. Likewise, it requires true spirituality to leave the realm of culture-bound human reasonings and personal preferences on morality and honestly submit to God.
These are big questions to be asked in prayer, while simultaneously meditating upon the the Word of God and assessing our own lives: “How might I please God?” and “How might I please God more?” Embracing this larger concept is part of embracing the onward and upward call.
Philippians 3:12–14 ESV “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
But at its core, its personal meaning is that of simply pleasing God. We must ask questions like: “How might I please God?” “How might I please God more?” “How might we be even more pleasing to God as His church?
Getting the Attitude Right
The Thessalonian church was full of new Christians, only three months down the road in their walk with God at most. They were at the very beginnings of their development, but they were eager to please God. This disposition would put them on the fast track to Christian maturity; and they would soon take the lead as a model church for the world to follow.
The Apostle Paul considered strong ethical instruction part of basic discipleship for new believers. They are more likely to obey early on than later if they are allowed to continue unchallenged on any immorality or ethical lapses.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 ESV “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.”It is not uncommon today to do the opposite, fearing offending or losing new converts. Perhaps this is one reason why there are so many so-called “Christians” who do not even meet minimum moral standards, who are constantly asking questions about living as undisciplined as possible, and who have such little consideration of, or concern for, what truly pleases God.
Developing Spiritual Instincts
Christian Ethics are all about pleasing God. The concept of pleasing God is so helpful and so challenging. It is so much more helpful than a list of rigid rules. And it is so much more challenging than simply living by a few moral generalizations.
Pleasing God is not about being reactionary against unbiblical standards, nor is it found in self-righteously liking them. The first leads to confusion and lack of definition. The second misses out on happiness and depth of understanding.
It isn’t that hard. The concept of pleasing God implies that Christians can have their instincts trained by the Holy Spirit. As maturity is described in Hebrews 5:14 ESV “they have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
Move Out, Move Ahead
It requires true spirituality to move beyond rules and regulations, and relying on a Christian culture of policing one another’s lives. Likewise, it requires true spirituality to leave the realm of culture-bound human reasonings and personal preferences on morality and honestly submit to God.
These are big questions to be asked in prayer, while simultaneously meditating upon the the Word of God and assessing our own lives: “How might I please God?” and “How might I please God more?” Embracing this larger concept is part of embracing the onward and upward call.
Philippians 3:12–14 ESV “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
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